Uma Bharti protests entry of retail chains

Bharatiya Janashakti Party leader Uma Bharti on Sunday forced a Reliance Fresh outlet here to shutdown as hundreds of her supporters protested against the entry of multinational and corporate retail chains in the country.

Indore (MP), Sept 16 : Bharatiya Janashakti Party leader Uma Bharti on Sunday forced a Reliance Fresh outlet here to shutdown as hundreds of her supporters protested against the entry of multinational and corporate retail chains in the country.

Bharti said that allowing the giants would wipe away livelihoods of millions of small retailers and allied businesses.

"Reliance has made India proud all over the world. But I appeal to them to make roads, dams and produce electricity, but don't take away bread and butter of poor people," she said.

Warning the US retail giant Wal-Mart group of dire consequences if it enters the Indian market, she said: "One more big company is all set to enter retail sector in Madhya Pradesh. It will take away the jobs of small businessmen. I am just locking the Reliance shop, but if Wal-Mart enters here, I will set it on fire."

Opening up India's fragmented retail industry has triggered opposition from some political parties and retail traders, who fear massive job losses.

Their demands include a total review of the policy, stating advantages to retail trade, economy and revenue with entry of corporate houses in retail; and framing of a national policy on retail trade and small and medium industries.

Foreign multiple brand retailers in India are limited to cash-and-carry and franchise or license operations.

India allows foreign single-brand retailers to take up to 51 percent in a joint venture with a local firm, while multiple-brand retailers like Wal-Mart are limited to cash-and-carry, or wholesale, and franchise deals.

India's retail industry, valued at nearly 350 billion dollars, is forecast to double in size by 2015.

ANI